More than 150 dead Green Sea Turtles found in Baja California Sur

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Environmental officials have blamed hypothermia for the death of some 150 green sea turtles discovered on a 20-kilometer stretch of beach in Baja California Sur.

Profepa said cool temperatures are the likely cause of the deaths. Inspectors found no signs of injury other than the work of carrion eaters, and estimated the sea turtles had been dead for several days.

The area where they were found is known as Laguna Ojo de Liebre in Guerrero Negro.

It was the third time this year that dead marine life has been encountered in the area. On January 13, 14 dead gray whales were found but their deaths were not considered out of the ordinary in comparison with other years.

One of the dead turtles in Guerrero Negro, Baja California. (Photo: PROFEPA)

Another 16 dead turtles were found the same day, and they too are believed to have died from hypothermia. Information gathered by Profepa has been passed on for analysis by the Northwest Biological Research Center in La Paz.

Green sea turtles usually live in shallow lagoons but like other marine turtles they migrate long distances between feeding grounds and beaches where they lay their eggs. They are listed as an endangered species.